Deemed as the world's hardest race, the Dakar Rally 2017 kicked off on Monday with the participation of Peruvian drivers.
The race's point of departure was Atyra, located 50 km east of Paraguay's capital city of Asuncion.
However, the symbolic start took place in Asuncion's Costanera area last Sunday. The activity was attended by Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes and Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales.
This mega-event comprises a 9,000 km tour running through Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina.
Peru
Peruvian participation is guaranteed through the presence of driver Nicolas Fuchs, who is joined by Argentinean co-driver Fernando Mussano.
Other national drivers are Fernando Ferrand Malatesta, Fernando Ferrand del Busto and motorcyclist Carlos Vellutino. On this occasion, Vellutino wants to complete the race circuit, unlike last year's edition.
National co-driver Leonardo Barionio joins Chilean Juan Carlos Vallejo.
The five national representatives completed the first stage, a 39-km-tour going from Asuncion (Paraguay) to Resistencia (Argentina).
On board his KTM 450 Rally Replica motorcycle, Vellutino ended the first Special in the 123rd position (39:29).
In the cars category, Fuchs displayed the best national performance (24th; 29:04), followed by Barionio (60th; 37:36) and the Malatesta-Del Busto team (62nd; 38:08).
The competition will continue on Tuesday from Resistencia to San Miguel de Tucuman (Argentina).
(END) JHM/MVB